DESC:Field of the Invention
[0001] The present disclosure relates to sensor holder apparatuses.

Background
[0002] Deployment of sensors in an environment, such as a household, a lab, a bank, and the like, is typically done on surfaces, such as walls. The mechanism of deployment of such sensors is imperative so as to provide for a wide degree of freedom of the sensor, thereby providing greater coverage in terms of sensor monitoring. In other words, greater the degree-of-freedom of sensor, greater would be the monitoring coverage provided by the sensor. For instance, an orientation of the sensor could be set over a wider range of angles.
[0003] A typical approach to deployment of sensors involves using sensor holder apparatuses. A sensor holder apparatus generally includes arrangements for deploying the sensor holder apparatus on a surface at one end and at the other end a sensor can be attached. However, certain conventional sensor holders allow for only fix positioning of the sensors, i.e., the orientation of the sensor may be fixed at the time of installation itself. For subsequent re-orientation of the sensors, a skilled technician may need to be called. This proves to be a hindrance in ease of installation and operation of the sensor. Other conventional sensor holders that allow for movement of the sensor, however, do not provide for appropriate degree-of-freedom of the sensor, for example, owing to their structural complexities.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for solution to address at least one of the aforementioned deficiencies.

Summary
[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
[0006] In an example embodiment, a sensor holder apparatus is disclosed. The sensor holder apparatus comprises a housing that comprises a first opening and a second opening. The first opening and the second opening are coaxial and distal to each other. The sensor holder apparatus further comprises a pivot unit. The pivot unit comprises: a sensor holder configured to hold a sensor on a surface of the sensor holder, a pivot distal to the sensor holder, and a pivot arm extending from the pivot to the sensor holder. Herein, the pivot unit is movably coupled to the housing such that the sensor holder and the pivot arm protrude from the first opening. The sensor holder apparatus further comprises a wall connecting unit coupled to the housing such that a first surface of the wall connecting unit causes application of a resilient force on the pivot.
[0007] The sensor holder apparatus as disclosed herein, wherein the pivot unit further comprises a coupling unit, wherein the pivot is insert moulded into the coupling unit, wherein the sensor holder apparatus further comprises a pivot support unit, the pivot support unit comprising a support member, wherein the pivot support unit is configured to couple to the housing such that a first surface of the support member is contacting the coupling unit.
[0008] The sensor holder apparatus as disclosed herein, wherein the wall connecting unit is coupled to the housing such that the resilient force is applied on a second surface of the support member to hold the pivot in an engaged position with the first opening.
[0009] The sensor holder apparatus as disclosed herein, further comprising a force applying member disposed in between the pivot support unit and the wall connecting unit, wherein a first end of the force applying member is in contact with the second surface of the support member and a second end of the force applying member is in contact with the wall connecting unit, wherein the wall connecting unit is configured to apply a force onto the force applying member when coupled to the housing.
[0010] The sensor holder apparatus as disclosed herein, wherein the pivot support unit further comprises a plurality of support arms extending from an inner surface of the pivot support unit to the support member
[0011] The sensor holder apparatus as disclosed herein, wherein the housing further comprises a surface comprising a plurality of slots configured to receive the plurality of support arms of the pivot support unit.
[0012] The sensor holder apparatus as disclosed herein, wherein the wall connecting unit comprises a plurality of arms extending from the first surface of the wall connecting unit. Herein, each of the plurality of arms is configured to engage with a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots of the housing. The wall connecting unit further comprises a second surface having an adhesive element disposed thereon for attaching to a region.
[0013] The sensor holder apparatus as disclosed herein, wherein the pivot unit is movably coupled to the housing such that the pivot engages with the first opening, and such that a displacement of the pivot unit beyond a pre-set axis is restricted by the first opening.
[0014] The sensor holder apparatus as disclosed herein, wherein a dimension of the first opening is smaller than a dimension of the second opening.
[0015] The sensor holder apparatus as disclosed herein, wherein an adhesive element is disposed on the surface of the sensor holder.
[0016] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
[0018] Figure 1(a) illustrates a sensor holder apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0019] Figure 1(b) illustrates an exploded view of the sensor holder apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] Figure 2 illustrates a plurality of sub-components of a pivot unit of the sensor holder apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] Figure 3(a)-(c) illustrates a plurality of views and sub-components of the pivot support unit 104, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] Figure 4(a)-(c) illustrates a plurality of views and sub-components of a housing of the sensor holder apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] Figure 5a illustrates a plurality of sub-components of a wall connecting unit of the sensor holder apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0024] Figure 6 illustrates a cross section of the sensor holder apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

Detailed Description of Figures
[0026] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
[0027] The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
[0028] The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
[0029] More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”
[0030] Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”
[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skills in the art.
[0032] Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
[0033] Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
[0034] Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
[0035] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0036] Figure 1(a) illustrates a sensor holder apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1(b) illustrates an exploded view of the sensor holder apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the sensor holder apparatus 100 may be configured to support mounting of a sensor thereon such that a greater degree-of-freedom of the sensor is achieved. In other words, the sensor holder apparatus 100 supports mounting of the sensor in a manner such that a wider range of orientation angles become available for setting the orientation of the sensor.
[0037] Referring to Figures 1(a) and 1(b), in an example embodiment, the sensor holder apparatus 100 comprises a pivot unit 102, a pivot support unit 104, a housing 106, and a wall connecting unit 108. In an example, the pivot unit 102, the pivot support unit 104, the housing 106, and the wall connecting unit 108 may be conjoined in a manner so as to provide for a sturdy sensor holder, such as the sensor holder 100.The subsequent figures shall describe the various sub-components of the components of the sensor holder 100.
[0038] Referring to Figure 2, a plurality of sub-components of the pivot unit 102 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the pivot unit 102 comprises a sensor holder 200, a pivot arm 202, and a pivot 204. In an example, the sensor holder 200 may have an adhesive element 206, for example, a 3M tape, coupled on one of its surfaces. In an example, the sensor may be disposed onto the adhesive element 206. As may be understood, the adhesive element 206 may be disjoint to the pivot unit 102. Furthermore, the sensor holder 200 may be of any geometric shape including but not limited to, a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an ellipse. In an example, the pivot unit 102 may further comprise a coupling unit 208. Herein, the coupling unit 208 may be an elastomer and the pivot 204 may be insert moulded into the coupling unit 208.
[0039] The pivot arm 202 may be of any geometric shape including but not limited to, a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an ellipse. The pivot arm 202 combines the sensor holder 200 to the pivot 204. In an example, the pivot arm 202 is of sufficient length so as to avoid obstruction to the orientation of the sensor by the body of the sensor holder apparatus 100 or a surface on which the sensor holder apparatus 100 is mounted. The pivot 204 may be of any geometric shape including but not limited to, a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an ellipse. In an example, the sensor holder 200, the pivot arm 202, and the pivot 204 may be cast as a single piece.
[0040] Referring to Figures 3(a)-(c), a plurality of views and sub-components of the pivot support unit 104 is illustrated. Figure 3(a) illustrates a top view of the pivot support unit 104, Figure 3(b) illustrates a bottom view of the pivot support unit 104, and Figure 3(c) illustrates a perspective view of the pivot support unit 104. In an example embodiment, the pivot support unit 104 comprises a support element 300 and a plurality of support arms 302. The support element 300 may be configured to provide support to the coupling unit 208. In an example, a portion of the coupling unit 208 is in contact with the support element 300 in an assembled state of the sensor holder apparatus 100. In an example, a surface of the support element 300 that is to come into contact with the coupling unit 208 comprises a plurality of friction elements 308. The friction elements 308 may be understood as small protrusions extending from the support element 300 which provide frictional support to the coupling unit 208. In an example, each of the support arms 302 extends from an inner surface of the pivot support unit 104 to the support element 300, such that the support element 300 is coaxially disposed to the pivot support unit 104. Furthermore, the pivot support unit 104 comprises a first opening 304 and a second opening 306 for facilitating mounting of the pivot support unit 104 onto the housing 106.
[0041] Referring to Figures 4(a)-(c), a plurality of views and sub-components of the housing 106 is illustrated. Figure 4(a) illustrates a top view of the housing 106, Figure 4(b) illustrates a bottom view of the housing 106, and Figure 4(c) illustrates a perspective view of the housing 106. Shown in figure 4(a) is a first opening 400 of the housing 106 and figure 4(b) shows a second opening 402 of the housing 106. In an example, the first opening 400 and the second opening 402 may be coaxial. In an example, the first opening 400 may be smaller in dimension than the second opening 402. Furthermore, each of the first opening 400 and the second opening 402 may have a dimension such that at least a portion of the pivot unit 102 can pass through it. The housing 106 further comprises a plurality of slot 404. In an example, each of the slots 404 is provided on a same surface, such as the surface 406 of the housing 106 and has a length less than a length of the surface 406.
[0042] Referring to Figure 5, a plurality of sub-components of the wall connecting unit 108 is shown. In an example, the wall connecting unit 108 comprises a plurality of arms 500 extending out of a first surface 502. In an example, a length of each of the arms 500 is such that it fits into the slots 404 in a manner such that the supporting arm 302 is conjoined to the end of the slot 404. In an example, a second surface 504 has an adhesive element, such as a 3M tape disposed thereon. The second surface 504 is thus, used for disposing the sensor holder apparatus 100 onto a surface, for example a wall.
[0043] Figure 6 illustrates a cross section of the sensor holder apparatus 100. As shown in the figure, the support element 300 supports the pivot 204, in the assembled state. Furthermore, a force applying member 600 is also disposed within the housing 106, in the assembled state of the sensor holder apparatus 100.
[0044] In an example, for assembling the sensor holder apparatus 100, at first the pivot unit 102 may be inserted into the housing 106 from the second opening 402 of the housing 106. The pivot unit 102 is inserted such that the sensor holder 200 protrudes out from the first opening 400. In an example, the second opening 402 is of a dimension so as to allow the complete pivot unit 102 to pass through it. In said example, the first opening 400 may be of a dimension smaller than that of the second opening 402 such that only one or more portions of the pivot unit 102 may pass through it. For instance, in a non-limiting example, the sensor holder 200 and the pivot arm 202 may pass through the first opening 400 but the pivot 204 and the coupling unit 208 may be blocked. In an example, the pivot unit 102 is movably coupled to the housing 106 such that the pivot 204 engages with the first opening 400. Herein the engagement is such that a displacement of the pivot 204 beyond a pre-set axis A-A’ is restricted by the first opening 400. The pre-set axis A-A’ may understood as an axis that is parallel to the first opening 400.
[0045] Now, the pivot support unit 104 may be mounted onto the housing 106 such that the support arms 302 are aligned with the slots 404. Subsequently, to hold the pivot support unit 104 in place, a force applying member 600, such as a spring, may be disposed within the housing. The force applying member 600 is disposed such that a first end 602 thereof is in a contact with a second surface of the support element 300. A second end 604 thereof is in contact with a first surface of the wall connecting unit 108, when the wall connecting unit 108 is coupled to the housing 106. The wall connecting unit 108 is coupled to the housing 106 such that each of the arms 500 fits into a corresponding slot 404. The wall connecting unit 108 may be coupled to the housing 106 using fastening means, such as screws. Accordingly, slots or holes are provided on the housing 106 and the wall connecting unit 108. Furthermore, in the assembled state, the wall connecting unit 108 is configured to apply a force onto the force applying member 600 in a direction towards the support element 300. Accordingly, a resilient force is applied to hold the pivot support element 104 and thus the pivot 102 in place. The applied force is also optimal so as to not obstruct or hinder the movement of the coupling unit 208 on the friction elements 308.
[0046] In an example, a user seeking to change the orientation of the sensor mounted on the sensor holder 200 may simply apply a force on the pivot supporting unit 104 to disengage the pivot unit 102 from its locked position. Accordingly, as the pivot unit 102 now becomes free to move about within the housing 106, the user may move the pivot unit 102 to set its orientation. In another example, the user may not apply a downward force and may simply apply a tangential force on the pivot unit 102 to bring about a shift in the position of the pivot, and thereby that of the sensor.
[0047] While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. A sensor holder apparatus (100), comprising:
a housing (106) comprising a first opening (400) and a second opening (402), wherein the first opening (400) and the second opening (402) are coaxial and distal to each other;
a pivot unit (102) comprising:
a sensor holder (200) configured to hold a sensor on a surface of the sensor holder (200):
a pivot (204) distal to the sensor holder (200); and
a pivot arm (202) extending from the pivot (204) to the sensor holder (200), wherein:
the pivot unit (102) is movably coupled to the housing (106) such that the sensor holder (200) and the pivot arm (202) protrude from the first opening (400); and
a wall connecting unit (108) coupled to the housing (106) such that a first surface of the wall connecting unit (108) causes application of a resilient force on the pivot (204).

2. The sensor holder apparatus (100) of Claim 1, wherein the pivot unit (102) further comprises a coupling unit (208), wherein the pivot (204) is insert moulded into the coupling unit (208), wherein the sensor holder apparatus (100) further comprises a pivot support unit (104), the pivot support unit (104) comprising a support member, wherein the pivot support unit (104) is configured to couple to the housing (106) such that a first surface of the support member is contacting the coupling unit (208).

3. The sensor holder apparatus (100) of Claim 2, wherein the wall connecting unit (108) is coupled to the housing (106) such that the resilient force is applied on a second surface of the support member to hold the pivot (204) in an engaged position with the first opening (400).

4. The sensor holder apparatus (100) of Claim 3, further comprising a force applying member (600) disposed in between the pivot support unit (104) and the wall connecting unit (108), wherein a first end (602) of the force applying member (600) is in contact with the second surface of the support member and a second end (604) of the force applying member (600) is in contact with the wall connecting unit (108), wherein the wall connecting unit (108) is configured to apply a force onto the force applying member (600) when coupled to the housing (106).

5. The sensor holder apparatus (100) of Claim 2, wherein the pivot support unit (104) further comprises a plurality of support arms (302) extending from an inner surface of the pivot support unit (104) to the support member.

6. The sensor holder apparatus (100) of Claim 5, wherein the housing (106) further comprises a surface (406) comprising a plurality of slots (404) configured to receive the plurality of support arms (302) of the pivot support unit (104).

7. The sensor holder apparatus (100) of Claim 6, wherein the wall connecting unit (108) comprises:
a plurality of arms (500) extending from the first surface (502) thereof, wherein each of the plurality of arms (500) is configured to engage with a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots (404) of the housing (106); and
a second surface (504) having an adhesive element (206) disposed thereon for attaching to a region.

8. The sensor holder apparatus (100) of Claim 1, wherein the pivot unit (102) is movably coupled to the housing (106) such that the pivot (204) engages with the first opening (400), and such that a displacement of the pivot unit (102) beyond a pre-set axis is restricted by the first opening (400).

9. The sensor holder apparatus (100) of Claim 1, wherein a dimension of the first opening (400) is smaller than a dimension of the second opening (402).

10. The sensor holder apparatus (100) of Claim 1, wherein an adhesive element (206) is disposed on the surface of the sensor holder (200).